THE GAME WAS A SCRAPPY AFFAIR

REPORT WRITTEN BY GARETH.BARTSCH

A young(ish) Newark side braved the cold against a vastly more experienced West Bridgford side – assured that they had no first team players following their game succumbing to the weather.

A quick reshuffle of the selected starting line up after late call ups to the first team resulted in a lot of players out of position.
The game started with Newark playing into the strong wind. The early exchanges set the tone for the game ahead with Newark dominating the set pieces but failing to capitalise on this.

Early turnovers and simple mistakes allowed a fiery and motivated Bridgford side to remain in the contest and grow in confidence. The game was a scrappy affair with Newark’s rolling mauls and work around the fringes proving the best way forward.

The industrious work of the front row of Priestley, Sheils & Jackson a real driving force in moving the ball forward in difficult conditions.
It was through strong forward play and finally increasing tempo of the game that led to the first score of the match after 36 minutes when Duncan crashed over from a series of quick pick and go rucks which the Bridgford defence could not keep up with.

The Try was converted by Marshall. The score lifted the confidence of the boys in blue & white but the half arrived too quickly.

The half time talk was all about tempo, playing our game at our pace but the second half could not have got off to a worse start.

Bridgford controlling the ball well through tight play with the forwards and Penalties from over zealous Newark defending marched down field and through a series of pick and goes crossed the Newark line, conversion missed, (7-5).

The game then followed a similar pattern to the first half with no team gaining any real control of the ball and Newark failing to utilize the wind and strong set piece play.
Eventually Newark’s stronger fitness began to show and the arm wrestle for the ball moved closer and closer to the Bridgford line.

After being held up a few times either just short or just over the line and a resolute Bridgford defence holding strong Newark finally made the pressure pay when Kash – one of the new recruits making his debut – took advantage of the tired Bridgford defence to run in from 15 meters, Conversion Missed (12-5).

That should have been the game finished there and then as Bridgford looked deflated and beaten.
However that was not the case and they rallied again after 10 more minutes of tight and scrappy play, Bridgford worked their way down field where a clearance from Marshall was charged down in the in-goal area with nobody in the Newark defence wanting to take responsibility the Bridgford centre couldn’t believe his luck and fell on the ball for possibly the easiest try he’ll ever score. Try converted (12-12).

The shocked Newark side took a couple of minutes to recover from what had just happened and following another silly penalty Bridgford took the lead for the first time with a penalty from just outside the 22 (12-15).

This kick-started Newark for the last 10 minutes as they realised they could be on the end of a defeat. There was time for one last sting in the tail – with less than two minutes remaining Newark were awarded a penalty which was in a difficult but kickable position.

Captain Fotheringham was making his way to the referee when two calls of ‘poles’ came from within the pack.

The referee duly pointed to the sticks, Captain Fotheringham however wanted to go for the corner, Newark's goal kicker not confident he could tie the game in the difficult conditions but the decision had already been made much to the protest of Newark’s skipper.

Marshall just missed the kick and with Newark attacking from the restart gained a scrum in centre field on the Bridgford 22, this was the last play of the game and the domina

nt scrum which had pushed West Bridgford around all game lost the ball against the head. Game Over,

Newark 12 West Bridgford 15.

The Newark boys walked from the field wondering how they had lost the game, with a lot of players playing out of position, making debuts or returning from injury it was a solid performance but as Bridgford demonstrated training and playing together week in, week out can have a massive effect in difficult conditions.

Well done to all those who played out of position and welcome to the lads making either their club or 2nd Team debuts.

Another home game next week against Old Northamptonian’s and former Skipper and legendary sock Mark Staines last game at the club before he heads to Dubai so a team night out after.